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facet: Main
type: Traditional
locale: en_US
title: PhotoArts Marin – Glen Graves
facet_type_id: 99ab0770-5f39-1032-97df-df2b57e99cbb
html_text: More than 20 years of photography experience grants PhotoArts Marin's Glen Graves more than just an eye for an ideal snapshot. His skill with traditional film cameras, lighting, and composition elements imbues his photos with a quality that has drawn the attention of such clients as Ford, US Air, and Architectural Digest. When not capturing boudoir portraits or smiling families during photo shoots, Glen can be found in the classroom teaching aspiring photographers the tricks of the trade, from using dynamic angles to frame a subject to how saying “cheese” banishes spirits intent on photobombing.

facet: Main
type: Traditional
locale: en_US
title: Nathan Larimer Photography
facet_type_id: b3fa5520-5f2c-1032-bf5a-ab884612e640
html_text: "Signature service: Wedding photography
\nEstablished:\
\ 2010
\nReservations/Appointments: Required
\nStaff\
\ Size: 2–10 people
\nAverage Duration of Services: 1–\
2 hours
\n\nQ&A with Nathan Larimer, Owner/photographer\n\
\nWhat is one of your signature services? How is it performed?
\n\
Everything I do revolves around wedding photography. That's my bread and \nbutter.\
\ However, I do a lot of engagements and boudoir. My couples really \nappreciate\
\ our engagement sessions because of our artistic approach and \nunique and often\
\ scenic locations. \n\nHow is your approach different than that of\
\ other professionals in your field?
\nI approach an engagement session\
\ with plenty of energy and encouragement \nthat will help my clients become excited\
\ about being photographed. There \nwill be cameras constantly clicking on their\
\ wedding day and an engagement \nshoot is a great opportunity to prepare for that\
\ experience. So, even if \nyou don’t know if you really need engagement pictures,\
\ the experience of \nthe shoot will allow us to get to know each other, become\
\ comfortable with \nthe camera, and have a lot of fun. We’ll get some awesome shots\
\ that will \nbe fun to share with your friends and family, too. \n\nWhat\
\ aspect of your job, or the services you offer, most often surprises people?
\n\
I think it’s how simple an engagement shoot can be. Sometimes the more \nsimple,\
\ subtle, sophisticated portrait is the best. We want to have fun, \nbut that doesn’\
t mean I’ll have you jumping into each other’s arms for an \nhour or trucking around\
\ a bunch of gigantic balloons through a field. \nInstead I’d rather you express\
\ your uniqueness and love in your own way \nwhile I step back and document it.\
\ \n\nIs there anything else you want to add that we didn't cover?
\n\
Since engagement sessions are a great trial run for the wedding I often \noffer\
\ deals on them. I want my clients to spend the big bucks at their \nwedding because\
\ those images are, ultimately, more important. This way my \nclients have a low\
\ risk way of experiencing my work. "

facet: Main
type: Traditional
locale: en_US
title: Claire Dobson Photography
facet_type_id: 3dd62bf0-5f3e-1032-bf5d-66cb99c01b97
html_text: Claire Dobson captures couples, families, and high-school seniors in crisp, colorful high-definition snapshots. In those snapshots, she frames emotion and personality through deft composition learned over her years in the field of photography. She also gives a flawless, magazine-like quality to her photos through detailed retouching in the editing studio. With the same approach, she also trains her camera eye on classy and elegant boudoir sessions, as well as weddings and engagement shoots.

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Groupon Guide

“We can make anything look sexy.”A bold statement, perhaps, but it’s easy to trust coming from boudoir photographer Lori Sapio. The 24-year industry veteran has shot for publications like Vogue Italia and Playboy, so she clearly knows a thing or 10 about sexy. Of course, Vogue sexy and Playboy sexy are two very different things, and that’s kind of the point here. At her Chicago studio, Revival Pinups, the photographer resists forcing some cookie-cutter definition of sexy onto clients. “I let it be a collaboration,” Lori said, “so my clients have their own voice.” So if you’re a first-time model, there’s your first tip: speak up. The idea of a boudoir shoot might seem inherently daunting, but you only have to do what you’re comfortable with. We talked to Lori about what happens in your typical photo shoot, including eight things you don’t have to do.You don’t have to know what you’re doing.“For most people, it starts as a nerve-racking experience,” Lori said. “It’s like an exercise class and I’m their instructor. I instruct them the whole way and help them with their posing. Most people don’t have any idea [what to do], or they had some ideas before they walked through the doors, but everything kind of goes away once they come in.” (That doesn’t mean you can’t come in with ideas. Feel free to bring pictures, Pinterest boards, or magazines as inspiration.) You don’t have to take yourself too seriously.“A lot of people like to be serious and sexy,” Lori said, but a mix of expressions will give you more photo options. She also tries to make people smile and laugh to get some shots on the sweeter end of the sexy spectrum.As for posing, she suggests you relax and just keep moving to avoid obsessing over every movement and facial expression. “Once [people] start slowing down, people start thinking more, second-guessing facial expressions or how their body looks. If [the shoot] is fast and moving, then they don’t really think about it as much and it helps the nerves go away quicker.”You don’t have to dress up as someone else.If you don’t wear a lot of makeup in your everyday life, you might not want to spackle on the cosmetics for your shoot. “Some people get shell-shocked by seeing their faces all done up if they’re not used to it.” However, a boudoir shoot can be an opportunity to try an outfit or style you wouldn’t normally—wear something skimpy, vamp it up, go for ‘40s pinup styling, anything. “If there’s anything in particular the person you’re doing the photos for really likes, you can kind of shop for them,” Lori said. “Just make sure you’re comfortable.” You don’t have to splurge on new lingerie.If you have something you know you look good in, don’t feel like you have to forsake it for shiny new stuff. “With older pieces, you can’t really tell that they’re older by the time you’re in front of the camera. Things photograph differently than how they look in real life.” (The only thing she suggests not wearing? Pieces with lots of boning. “It doesn’t move with the body as much as you think it would.”)In fact, you don’t even have to be in your undies.Lori’s portfolio features women wearing everything from skimpy lingerie to robes to knee-length dresses. Those not as comfortable with getting photographed in their skivvies might want to consider leggings or form-fitting dresses, as they show off curves without showing skin. You don’t have to be photographed from every angle.Lori recommends working with your photographer to find poses that complement your body type. “Some people want to hide certain body parts or accentuate certain body parts. … [We] formulate a game plan from that to help with the posing.”You don’t have to go through it alone.Get moral support from someone you really trust, like a sister or best friend. This can be helpful for deciding what outfits to bring, or even for the day of the shoot. “Some people like the feedback their friends give [during a shoot],” Lori said. “It’s just a little confidence booster to bring someone along.” Of course, if you find their presence is making you more nervous, don’t be shy. Ask them to step out.You don’t have to do it for someone else.“The majority of people are like, ‘This gift is for someone, but it’s also for me,’” Lori said. Some clients pose just for themselves, often to celebrate meeting weight-loss or fitness goals or reaching a milestone birthday.Photos courtesy of Revival PinupsGet portrait-ready with these tips from the Groupon Guide:Tips for Composed Portraits from a Pro PhotographerHer first tip? Relax.The Solutions to Seven Common Makeup and Beauty ProblemsYou'll be camouflaging pimples in no time.